Knevel top CFL prospect

David Knevel is the top football prospect from Brantford in more than a decade.

Knevel, who finished his career on the offensive line at the University of Nebraska in December, is rated as the No. 1 prospect for next month’s Canadian Football League draft.

"I’m happy to see a lot of my hard work paid off," Knevel said. "I’m looking forward to seeing where I end up playing, whether it’s the NFL or CFL.

"All I want to do is play football."

His university career had its ups and downs.

Coming out of Pauline Johnson Collegiate, Knevel was recruited by several major U.S. college football powerhouses. However, the six-foot-nine, 330-pounder chose Nebraska.

The 23-year-old redshirted as a freshman and then got some playing time in his second and third seasons. The past two seasons, he’s been a starter – when healthy.

An ankle sprain and shoulder injury limited him during his fourth year and a foot injury sidelined him for a while in his fifth year. All told, Knevel played in 31 games over his five years, starting in 13.

"It was very frustrating but at the end of the day, it’s how it goes," said Knevel, who played right and left tackle as well as guard during his time as a Cornhusker. "It’s a game. Things like that are going to happen.

"I learned how to emotionally handle stuff like that."

He only played two games at guard, at the end of his Nebraska career, but felt comfortable.

"I did pretty well at guard, I think," he said. "It wasn’t really a drastic difference, it was little things."

What wasn’t small was the difference between playing football at a Canadian high school and then a major U.S. university.

"Everybody is big, fast and strong," said Knevel of the U.S. college game. "It’s constant competition.

"I’d definitely say my knowledge of the game, like understanding what guys are going to do, improved. I think I got bigger, faster and stronger and learned to use my leverage in a smart way.

"I improved my technique and learned when to do certain things."

And, most of all, he had fun.

"It was really good," said Knevel. "I think the best parts were the friends I made and, as a football player, I developed immensely.

"The games are really awesome but, at the end of the day, the things that stick with you are the people you played with and the relationships you made."

Unlike most top prospects, Knevel skipped the NFL and CFL combines. Instead, early in March, he used pro day at Nebraska to show what he could do for visiting CFL and NFL scouts.

While almost certain to be drafted by a CFL team, Knevel also has his eye on the NFL. According to some published pre-draft reports, Knevel likely will wind up being an undrafted free agent invitee to an NFL team’s camp.

Should Knevel make it to the NFL, he would be only the second player from Brantford to play in that league. The first was Nick Kaczur, an offensive lineman, who played 68 games for New England from 2005 to 2010 after being drafted in the third round (100th overall) of the 2005 draft by the Patriots.

Kaczur was also drafted in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2005 CFL draft by the Toronto Argonauts, although he never played professionally in Canada.

Knevel said his goal is to play in the NFL.

"That’s my No. 1 priority right now. I really just want to get a shot and see how I match up."

Knevel will return to Brantford before the NFL draft, April 26-28, and the CFL one on May 3. That way he can be among his biggest supporters – mom Michelle, dad Mark Miller, twin brother Michael and brothers D.J. and Colin Wassenaar.

"My mom and dad were immense in everything that happened," Knevel said. "They’re extremely supportive and I’m really lucky to have parents like that."

Knevel, who earned a degree in history at Nebraska, is working with Michael and their friend, Dakota Brush, to put together a sports training centre. Michael is a former quarterback at Wilfrid Laurier University, while Brush was a member of the CFL’s B.C. Lions last season. All three are Pauline Johnson grads.

Knevel said he is glad he chose to attend Nebraska.

"What really made my decision to come here was the people in the city of Lincoln and the vibe here," he said.

"I feel like this place fits me as a person outside of football, which is what you really need.